87% of car seats for children inspected at free “Safety in the Car” inspection sessions in Ceredigion in 2009 were found to be fitted incorrectly.
The Road Safety Section within Ceredigion County Council Highways Property and Works Department, is arranging for qualified personnel to check children’s car seats again at supermarket car parks within Ceredigion in November 2010.
The free checks, where qualified personnel will advise parents and guardians, suggesting ways of increasing the safety of children in cars, are to be on offer at:
- 1 November 2010 – Morrisons, Aberystwyth 9.30am till 3.30pm
- 2 November 2010 – Tesco, Cardigan 9.30am – 3.30pm
- 3 November 2010 – Sainsbury’s, Lampeter 9.30am – 3.30pm
- 4 November 2010 – Morrisons, Aberystwyth 9.30am – 3.30pm
- 5 November 2010 – Tesco, Cardigan 9.30am – 3.30pm
Since September 2006 all UK child car seats must comply with a new law stipulating that children under 3 years of age MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle – including vans and other goods vehicles. Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air bag unless the air bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.
In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children under 3 years to 135 cms in height – approximately 4 foot 5 inches – MUST use the appropriate child restraint. Three exceptions allow such children to travel in the rear of a vehicle and use an adult belt: in a taxi, if the correct restraint is not available; for a short distance in an unexpected necessity, if the correct restraint is not available and, lastly, where two child seats in the rear prevent the fitting of a third child seat
Anyone having any queries in regard to in-car safety or the child car seat legislation are welcome to attend one of the Ceredigion Road Safety Service events in November 2010 or to call the Road Safety Section during weekday office hours on 01545 572409.
From the 168 car seats checked during three inspection sessions in 2009, 21 passed and 146 failed
The 168 inspections in 2009 showed:
- 45 needed minor adjustment
- 56 needed major adjustment
- 14 seats were unsuitable for the child involved
- 8 seats were found to be incompatible with the vehicle concerned
- 12 seats were condemned
- 33 needed a fitting demonstration
